At their October meeting the Leesburg Town Council listened to a representative of Freedom Oil, talked about a sidewalk replacement plan and informed the public of a hearing about the post office hours.
James McEntarfer, an attorney for Greg Cobb, owner of Freedom Oil, went before the council to argue that the alley between two properties that will be owned by Cobb should be vacated by the town.
“Greg has seven years left on his contract at his current site, but he will be moving up the closing of that site to January,” McEntarfer said. “He is also waiting to close on the purchase of the Farmers State Bank property next to the Freedom Express gas station. “
McEntarfer said that after the closing of the FSB property and the final payment on the current property of the Freedom Express gas station, Cobb would quickly move to tear down both buildings and rebuild a more modern convenience store within 60-90 days.
McEntarfer said Cobb was aware that there was a sewer easement in the alley, but was not aware of any other easements or utilities in the alley.
Council President Tom Moore said that he was only aware of a pressurized sewer pipeline with two grinder pumps and nothing more. Moore’s only concern about the project was if any of the grinder pumps had to be removed during the construction that there would be no complications, because the sewer pipeline in the alley is pressurized.
McEntarfer reassured Moore that if it was to be removed it would be removed properly.
Leesburg Town Clerk-Treasurer Jan Carter said that “it makes sense for them do this. We need the boost in economy.”
The council will have a hearing on the vacation of the alley at their November 12 meeting. McEntarfer said that Cobb would be at the meeting.
In other business the council approved the 2013 budget, in which they appropriated funds to start a sidewalk replacement program.
Councilman Doug Jones volunteered to contact other towns to see how they run their sidewalk replacement programs and report back in November. Moore suggested contacting Pierceton and other surrounding towns.
Additionally Carter informed the board and the public that there will be a meeting at town hall about new hours for the post office on Oct. 17 at 2 p.m. Carter said that a representative from the United States Postal Service will be on hand to talk about new hours with the community.
In other business the council set trick-or-treat hours for Oct. 31 from 6 to 7:30 p.m. Additionally Street Commissioner Brandon Queen said that he has begun leaf cleanup. Anyone who has leaves that need picked up should bring them to the street and remove any large obstructions.
The next meeting of the Leesburg Town Council is Nov. 12 at 6:30 p.m.
